On stage: Company Theatre spreads holiday cheer with new show

Wednesday

Nov 22, 2017 at 11:18 AMNov 26, 2017 at 10:36 AM

By Jody Feinberg/The Patriot Ledger

NORWELL - A new show at The Company Theatre could be the start of a South Shore holiday tradition. “Company for the Holidays” is a bit like Santa’s bag – it’s packed with entertaining gifts in an ambitious effort to spread happiness.

“We do a holiday show every year, but we wanted to do something fresh and original this year,” said Zoe Bradford, co-creator of the show and co-artistic director of the theater. “I don’t think anyone else has put together something quite like this, and I think people will leave the show in a really good mood.”

The three-part show features a jazzy musical review, an original comedy play, and a Gospel-style nativity story.

Supported by a 13-piece jazz band, an adult and youth ensemble sings Steve Bass’s new arrangements of such classics as “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “All I Want for Christmas is You,” “Santa Baby” and “White Christmas.”

“Act I is a review with jazzy interpretations and choreography that will make people feel like they’ve tuned into an old television special,” Bradford said. “And we have some interesting imagery that we project.”

In the second act, a dozen actors perform the 40-minute play “A Child’s Christmas in Bahston,” written by Bradford and inspired by her experiences of celebrating Christmas with Italian friends in Revere.

“It’s a South Shore meets North Shore story, with one type of family meeting the other,” said Bradford, who lives in Hingham. “It’s action-packed and there’s a little disaster along the way, but it all turns out great in the end.”

For the final offering, the nativity is told by a Gospel adult ensemble backed by projected visuals. Songs include “Mary, Did You Know,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” and “Joy to the World.”

“It’s very uplifting,” she said.

Jordie Saucerman, the theater’s co-artistic director, co-created the holiday show, Sally Ashton Forrest is the choreographer, Steve Bass is the music director.

Theater peview COMPANY FOR THE HOLIDAYS Presented by The Company Theatre, Nov. 24-Dec. 17 at 30 Accord Park Dive, Norwell. $41-$43; companytheatre.com

Jody Feinberg may be reached at jfeinberg@ledger.com or follow on Twitter @JodyF_Ledger.